In addition to the interesting costumes students may have seen a few weekends ago at Animarathon, students may have also recognized music playing by a certain musical ensemble.

Game and Anime Music Ensemble, or G.A.M.E, is a musical group dedicated to performing music that is either from a video game or anime, a type of Japanese animation.

Ronnie Hill, a University student who was interested in Japanese culture, games, anime and music, founded the ensemble in 2007.

“He’s actually in Japan right now teaching,” said Justin Romie, a member of G.A.M.E. “His main purpose was that he just wanted to play game and anime music.”

After years of playing video games and watching anime, Hill realized that part of what made games and anime exciting was the music. As he began to appreciate the music in video games and anime more, he felt compelled to form a group of musicians dedicated to playing it.

Some students enjoy hearing the ensemble.

“I heard [G.A.M.E.] play at Animarathon,” sophomore Liz Sampson said. “They sounded awesome. I love video games, so I think what they’re doing is a really cool idea.”

The group is located in the Kreischer Arts Village and works with Anime in Northwest Ohio, according to the groups blogs. The group performs about 10 different pieces a year and has learned songs from the Super Smash Brothers Brawl main theme to the Princess Mononoke theme from a movie of the same theme.

Currently, the group boasts about 30 members. Any musician is welcome to join the ensemble regardless of instrument or musical skill level, though most members have had minimal instruction, said Jennifer Smith, a current member of G.A.M.E.

Because G.A.M.E. is not an official student organization, Smith said they welcome both students and non-students as members.

The group advertises through social media and by hanging fliers around campus and town so everyone is aware of the group.

Smith said she got involved in the group last year after seeing a poster in the Arts Village.

“I have always loved anime, gaming and music. Considering all are common pastimes for me, and I always enjoyed playing my clarinet, it was a pretty easy decision for me … It has become something of a passion of mine to help improve the group in any way I am capable,” Smith said.

In addition to focusing on music, the group is designed to provide a community.

“Everybody brings something special to the group, both musically and otherwise. We’re all about building relationships with each other to form a tight-knit network of people that we all can rely on,” according to the group’s website.

While G.A.M.E. does not compete, they still perform concerts and provide background music throughout the year.

“We play Ohayocon in Columbus, and Animarathon, obviously,” Romie said.

The next concert for G.A.M.E. will be on April 19 in the Arts Village.

Students who are interested in joining can find more information at blogs.bgsu.edu/gameandanimemusicensemble, or they can contact Romie at [email protected] or Smith at [email protected].